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Construct a wooden planter for the home landscape in an afternoon. All you need are some basic tools and supplies found at a hardware store. Adjust the length or size of the basic plant to create one that best fits the space it will be placed. Cedar wood gives the planter a natural look and resists insect and weather damage, but you can use standard wood planks and either paint or stain the finished planter to match the deck or home color.

Porch Rail Planter

1

Cut a front and back section to 25 by 6-1/2 inches out of 1-inch thick planks. Cut two side sections to 8 by 5-1/4 inches. Cut the bottom section to 23 by 8 inches wide. Make adjustments to the measurements if using a different plank thickness.

2

Cut four pieces for the bottom spacers to 1-1/4 inches by 1-1/2 inches from wood leftover after cutting the sides and bottom of the planter. These pieces are placed in the corners to help to hold the planter on the rail.

3

Drill four drainage holes evenly along the bottom section using a 1/2-inch drill bit.

4

Glue the back and front planter sections to the side sections using wood glue along the edges making sure the top edges of all four sections line up. The side sections are not as tall as the front and back to hold the planter on the rail. Drill two pilot holes along each edge. Secure the glued sections together by drilling two 1-1/2 inch screws through each pilot hole.

5

Glue a spacer piece on each corner of the bottom section piece. Drill a pilot hole into each spacer. Screw the spacers in place with one 1-1/2 inch screw into each spacer.

6

Hold the bottom section in place on the planter so the spacers are on the outside of the planter facing downward. Drill two pilot holes along each edge. Secure the bottom by drilling two 1-1/2 inch screws through each pilot hole.

Square Deck Planter

1

Cut two pieces of wood that are 15-1/2 inches square for the planter ends out of 1-inch thick planks. Cut two pieces of wood to 15-1/2 inches by 14-3/4 inches for the planter sides. Cut one piece of wood to 13-1/2 inches by 14-3/4 inches for the planter bottom. Make adjustments to the measurements if using a different plank thickness.

2

Drill four drainage holes evenly throughout the bottom of the planter with a 1/2-inch drill bit.

3

Cut two pieces of wood to 14 by 3/4 inches for two sides of the bottom ledge with wood glue. Cut two pieces of wood to 12-1/2 by 3/4 inches for the other two sides of the bottom ledge.

4

Assemble the planter by gluing the edges of the two planter ends to the two planter sides to make a box. Drill two pilot holes along each edge. Secure the glued sections together by driving two 1-1/2 inch screws through each pilot hole.

5

Glue the four ledge pieces around the bottom edge of the box so they are about 3/4 inch above from the bottom edge. Secure the ledges with four 1-1/2 inch brads placed evenly along each edge. Set the bottom planter piece inside the box so the ledge holds it in place.

6

Cut two sections of wood trim to 16-3/4 inches and two sections to 15-1/2 inches to finish off the top edge of the planter. Glue the trim pieces around the top edge of the planter. Secure the trim by evenly placing four 1-1/2 inch brads along each side.

Things You Will Need

1-inch thick wood planks

Ruler

Saw

Drill with bits

Wood glue

Screwdriver

1-1/2 inch screws

3/4 inch wood strips

1-1/2 inch brads

Hammer

Wood trim

Tip

Paint or stain the planter to the desired color and seal the planter with polyurethane to prevent premature aging or rotting.

About the Author

Jennifer Loucks has been writing since 1998. She previously worked as a technical writer for a software development company, creating software documentation, help documents and training curriculum. She now writes hobby-based articles on cooking, gardening, sewing and running. Loucks also trains for full marathons, half-marathons and shorter distance running. She holds a Bachelor of Science in animal science and business from University of Wisconsin-River Falls.